Slovenia to Recognize the Palestinian State

The Slovenian government has approved a decision to recognize the Palestinian state.

The country follows Ireland, Norway, and Spain who recognized the state of Palestine on May 28. 

Prime Minister Robert Golob said at a news conference in Ljubljana, "Today the government has decided to recognise Palestine as an independent and sovereign state."

The government's decision still required approval from Slovenia's parliament, which is set to vote on the motion on Tuesday, Jun. 4.

“The session is scheduled for Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. (14:00 GMT),” parliament speaker Urska Klakocar Zupancic told a press conference in Ljubljana.

Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz said he hoped Slovenian lawmakers would reject the motion. 

Katz said on X, "The Slovenian government’s decision to recommend that the Slovenian parliament recognise a Palestinian state rewards Hamas… I hope the Slovenian parliament rejects this recommendation."

Slovenia's move is part of a wide effort by European countries to put pressure on Israel to end the conflict in Gaza.

The country's prime minister also called for a stop to hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and the release of all hostages.  

The Slovenian government also raised a Palestinian flag alongside the flags of Slovenia and the European Union (EU) in front of its building in downtown Ljubljana.

This article was previously published on UAE Moments.To see the original article, click here